"Deja Vu" by CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG with Dallas Taylor and Nigel Reeves (1994 Atlantic CD Reissue – Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Our House Is A Very Fine House..."

January 2006 saw a superlative 'Expanded & Remastered HDCD Edition' of CSN's monumental 1969 debut – "Crosby, Stills & Young" – but no such luck for the follow-up – the No. 1 album – "Deja Vu".

It seems astonishing that in January 2017 – almost 47 years after this masterpiece was released Stateside in March 1970 (May 1970 in the UK) – that we're essentially left with a Standard CD Remaster from the early 90's and a gatefold slip of paper as an inlay. No extras – no celebration – no annotation of any kind. In fact the one piece of info they do give is 'wrong' – quoting the US album's catalogue number as SD-19118 when that was the 1977 re-issue number – the original was Atlantic SD-7200.

I know that doesn't in any way lessen the achievement of both albums – two melodious Americana masterpieces still casting a harmony-vocal shadow over today's myriad of musical landscapes. I just wish there was more for an album that's been a cornerstone of millions of record collections for closing on 50 years now. Still – let's deal with what we do have. Here are the details (for which I almost cut my hair)...

UK released August 1994 (July 1994 in the USA) – "Deja Vu" by CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG on Atlantic 7567-82649-2 (Barcode 075678264924) is a straightforward 'Digitally Remastered' CD version of the 10-track album from 1970 and pans out as follows (36:31 minutes):

1. Carry On

2. Teach Your Children

3. Almost Cut My Hair

4. Helpless

5. Woodstock

6. Déjà Vu [Side 2]

7. Our House

8. 4 + 20

9. Country Girl: (a) Whiskey Boot Hill (b) Down, Down, Down (c) "Country Girl" (I Think You're Pretty)

10. Everybody I Love You

Tracks 1 to 10 are their second studio album "Deja Vu" – released March 1970 in the USA on Atlantic SD-7200 and May 1970 in the UK on Atlantic 2401001. It rose to No.1 and No.5 respectively on the US and UK charts. It was first reissued in the UK in March 1972 onto Atlantic K 50001 (with the transfer of Atlantic’s catalogue to Kinney Music). 

"Carry On" and "4 + 20" written by Stephen Stills - "Everybody I Love You" written by Stephen Stills and Neil Young - "Teach Your Children" and "Our House" written by Graham Nash - "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Deja Vu" written by David Crosby - "Helpless" and "Country Girl" written by Neil Young with "Woodstock" being a Joni Mitchell cover version.

The gatefold inlay simply recreates the inner gatefold of the original vinyl LP (same both sides of the pond) – there’s a see-through CD tray with the words 'Digitally Remastered' on the spine and that's it. The good news is obvious the moment you play the CD – a JOE GASTWIRT Remaster from original tapes that rocks – warm, punchy and expressive when it needs to be.

I can remember when I first heard Stills' "Carry On" – the twanging acoustics – the hooky lyrics – but most of all those voices harmonising in a way that blew you out of the water. And the clever changes in tempos. Love is coming to us all indeed. Onwards to the code to live by – the feed them on your dreams "Teach Your Children" – a gorgeous Graham Nash ballad. In the UK the look-at-them-and-sigh "Teach Your Children" (with Gerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead on Steel Guitar) became the fourth 45 around the album when Atlantic paired it with "Deja Vu" on Atlantic 2019 039 in November 1970. David Crosby comes storming in like he’s Neil Young’s angrier brother with "Almost Cut My Hair" examining how peer pressure works and eventually deciding to remain individual – true to himself and let his freak flag fly. Neil decides to tells us in his nasal whine about a town in North Ontario where all his changes were – a place that still leaves shadows on his eyes (gorgeous audio as those voices come in on the chorus). They end Side 1 with a rocked-up version of Joni Mitchell’s peace weekend anthem "Woodstock" – Stills makes it more angry than it should be but I prefer the Matthews Southern Comfort 7" single version that went to No. 1 in the UK in 1970.

John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful contributes a late Harmonica warble to the Side 2 opener "Deja Vu" – another David Crosby winner. As the years pass - I come back to the genius use of guitars, voices and tempo breaks in this superb ‘makes me wonder’ song. And that wall-of-sound that only CSNY make where they sing. “...We have all been here before...” they chant – well yeah – and I’ll want to go back again and again. We go acoustic ethereal with "4 + 20" – a fabulous Stephen Stills tale of troubled souls – why am I so alone. Atlantic put the three-part Neil Young "Country Girl" on the B-side of "Teach The Children" in April 1970 (Atlantic 2091 002) – waitress winking –but the sweet harmony vocals try to warn that there’s no love in the city. What a brilliant song and I love that echoed Harmonica as it crescendos before fading out. The album ends of the Stills/Young rocker "Everybody I Love You" – guitars wailing as they "la la" those harmony vocals. What a record...

We should talk about what’s not here. There's a demo of the "Déjà Vu" classic "Teach Your Children" on the Expanded Edition of "Crosby, Stills & Nash" which would have had an obvious placing here. Fans will know that there is a version of "Almost Cut My Hair" on the 1991 "Carry On" 4CD Box Set by CSNY and a further version on Crosby’s 3CD Anthology from 2006 "Voyage". As well as those there’s the stunning stand-alone 7” single "Ohio" b/w "Find The Cost Of Freedom" – a brilliant two-sider that later turned on the "So Far - Best Of” LP compilation in 1974 – all ideal Bonus Tracks material. Perhaps one day we might get a Deluxe Edition 2CD set covering the event in its entirety – we remain helplessly hoping...

"...A different kind of poverty now upsets my soul... " – Stephen Stills sings on the quietly majestical "4 + 20". I never feel poverty when I listen to them - they've always lifted me up. Embrace the many-coloured beast...as the great man says...

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"Manassas" by STEPHEN STILLS (2013 JAPAN Mini LP Reissue vs. 1993 US/UK/EURO Atlantic HDCD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Gonna Try Anyway..."

For all Stephen Stills fans there are touchstones in his amazing career – Buffalo Springfield at the beginning - followed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and his first two solo albums on Atlantic in 1970 and 1971. But almost all will feel a rush of excitement just clapping their weary eyes on the 1972 double-album sprawl of "Manassas" – for me easily as cool as 1972's "Exile On Main St." or "Quadrophenia" from the following year.

Stunning songs, top players and different musical styles across the four sides – it's a bit of a wow frankly - and Stills himself feels it’s amongst his best work. Not surprising then that eight songs from it turned up on the 2013 Stephen Stills "Carry On" 4CD retrospective (see separate review). Time to get familiar with this wickedly good double-album and its two versions on HDCD. Here are the keys to Johnny's Garden...

The UK/EUROPE/USA issue of "Manassas" by STEPHEN STILLS on Atlantic 7567-82808-2 (Barcode 075678280825) was released February 1993 (reissued October 1995) and is a HDCD reissue (High Definition Compatible Digital) with the full double-album transferred onto 1CD and plays out as follows (71:58 minutes):

Side 1 (called "The Raven"):

1. Song Of Love

2. Rock & Roll Crazies - Cuban Bluegrass (2 songs as 1)

3. Jet Set (Sigh)

4. Anyway

5. Both Of Us (Bound To Lose)

Side 2 (called "The Wilderness"):

6. Fallen Eagle

7. Jesus Gave Love Away For Free

8. Colorado

9. So Begins The Task

10. Hide It So Deep

11. Don't Look At My Shadow

Side 3 (called "Consider"):

12. It Doesn't Matter

13. Johnny's Garden

14. Bound To Fall

15. How Far

16. Move Around

17. The Love Gangster

Side 4 (called "Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay"):

18. What To Do

19. Right Now

20. The Treasure (Take One)

21. Blues Man [Dedicated To Jimi Hendrix, Al Wilson and Duane Allman]

Tracks 1 to 21 are the double-album "Manassas" – released April 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD2-903 and May 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 60021. The original vinyl LPs ran the Sides differently - Record 1 had Side 1 and 4 – while Record 2 had Sides 2 and 3. Howard and Ronnie Albert Engineered - Stephen Stills, Chris Hillman and Dallas Taylor Produced. "Manassas" peaked at No. 4 in the USA in late April 1972 and No. 30 in the UK in late May 1972.

The MANASSAS Band was:

STEPHEN STILLS – Guitars, Keyboards and Lead Vocals

CHRIS HILLMAN – Guitars and Backing Vocals

AL PERKINS – Guitars and Backing Vocals (including Steel Guitar)

PAUL HARRIS – Organ, Tack Piano, Piano, Clavinette and Keyboards

CALVIN “FUZZY” SAMUELS - Bass

JOE LALA – Congas, Timbales and Percussion

DALLAS TAYLOR – Drums

Guests:

JERRY AIELLO – Keyboards

BYRON BERLINE – Fiddle

SYDNEY GEORGE - Harmonica

BILL WYMAN – Bass on "The Raven" and "The Wilderness" Sides

ROGER BUSH – Acoustic Bass on "The Raven" and "The Wilderness" Sides

The 8-page booklet is very basic – tracks lists, musician and reissue credits with the inner gatefold of the double-album reproduced on the two centre pages. But fans will know that there was paper inners on American copies for both LPs (same picture on all four sides mind you) and a giant foldout poster with fantastic colour photos of the seven boys on one side and hand-written lyrics to every song on the other –and that's AWOL I'm afraid.

The other variant of "Manassas" by STEPHEN STILLS I have is the 23 September 2013 Japanese MINI LP ARTWORK Reissue on Warner Brothers/Atlantic WPCR-15257 (Barcode 4943674153107) that uses the old JOE GASTWIRT Remaster (there is a reference to the 1995 version on the OBI strip at the rear). At 71:58 minutes the playing time is exactly the same as the widely available HDCD variants and the Orange/Green label also carries the HDCD code. The repro'd artwork is gorgeous – using the American textured hard card gatefold cover. Typical of their attention to detail they've also repro’d the Inner Sleeve with the side profile shot of Stephen Stills (one for one disc - see photos provided) and the fold-out lyric poster that came with both US and UK original vinyl copies. On top of all that is the usual white-pages Japanese language booklet with lyrics (24-pages).

Try as I might – I can't hear any real Audio difference between the Japanese issue and the common Euro/US pressing – except to say that the Japanese issue (which is made and mastered in Japan) has a more pronounced and warmer Bass on some songs  – bottom end. Other than that you're paying a lot of money for what is admittedly gorgeous packaging. So the thing to remember about the Japanese repress is that it's not a SHM-CD and not a new Remaster - so any claims of Audio improvement is very debatable. There is also a 2013 Japanese issue of the follow-up LP "Down The Road" in the same Mini LP packaging.

I mention the Audio a lot because if you play any of the eight tracks from Manassas featured on the 2013 Stephen Stills "Carry On" Box Set – you 'can' hear the improvement big time – beautiful clarity on softer songs like "Colorado" and “It Doesn’t Matter” (which was always a tad muddy on every issue) and more muscle on rockers like "Song Of Love" and "Jet Set (Sigh)". That box set also carries a Previously Unreleased shorter take of "The Treasure" running to 4:20 minutes instead of the released Take 1 version here at over 8-minutes (could have been added on a bonus).

The music is a mishmash of Rock on Side 1 with the fantastic riffage of "Song Of Love" and "Anyway" nestling alongside Acoustic ballads like "Johnny's Garden" and "Bound To Lose". These jostle alongside out-and-out Banjo-picking Country Rockabilly in the shape of "Fallen Angel" and "Don't Look At My Shadow". CSNY's harmony-influence surfaces on shuffling California songs like "So Begins The Task" and the beautiful "Colorado". Hidden nuggets include the wickedly musical Synth and Acoustic soundscape of "Move Around" and the stunning Wah-Wah Guitar Funk of "The Love Gangster" (surely would have made a great 45). "Right Now" is a kind of "Deja Vu" fast-paced boogie - but it's outclassed big time by the album finisher "Blues Man" - easily the coolest tune he's ever penned for a Guitar - a song that tears them up even now 44-years after the event.

The truth is that if I feel there's even a millisecond of improvement on "Manassas" - then I had to own the beautiful Japanese repro. I suspect others will feel exactly the same. 

GENIUS and then some...

"You're Gonna Get! It!" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS (2002 Gone Gator/Warner Brothers CD – Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Please Stand By Me..." 

Tom Petty’s astonishing self-titled debut album was released November 1976 in the USA (40 years ago this year) – but would take until September of 1977 to register with the buying public. Even then it only managed No. 55 on the US LP charts despite its now iconic status as a genuine 70ts Rock Classic. But for my money his better-recorded and ludicrously hooky follow-up "You're Gonna Get It!" from two years later has always been an equal-to unsung hero for me – the sort of album that got lost – especially in good old Blighty which was in the throws of Punk and all things 'New Wave'.

Which brings us to this rather excellent - if not a little threadbare - 2002 CD reissue/remaster - finally ridding us of a naff 80ts MCA CD with the all the aural and aesthetic appeal of a gone-off banana. Here are the details you need to know...

UK and Europe released May 2002 - "You’re Gonna Get It!" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS on Gone Gator/Warner Brothers 8122-78178-2 (Barcode 081227817824) is a straightforward CD transfer of the original LP and plays out as follows (29:30 minutes):

1. When The Time Comes

2. You're Gonna Get It

3. Hurt

4. Magnolia

5. Too Much Ain't Enough

6. I Need To Know [Side 2]

7. Listen To Her Heart

8. No Second Thoughts

9. Restless

10. Baby's A Rock 'n' Roller

Tracks 1 to 10 are his second studio album "You’re Gonna Get It!" - released May 1978 in the USA on Shelter/ABC DA-52029 and in the UK on Island/Shelter ISA 5017. DENNY CORDELL, NOAH SHARK and TOM PETTY produced. The album reached No. 22 in the States and No. 34 in the UK.

TOM PETTY – Lead Vocals, 6 and 12-string Guitars and Piano

MIKE CAMPBELL – 6 and 12-string Guitars (Solos)

BENMONT TENCH – Piano, Organ and Vocals

RON BLAIR - Bass and Acoustic Guitar

STAN LYNCH - Drums and Vocals

GREGG GELLER has produced the reissue and the gatefold slip of paper that passed as the MCA inlay is now upgraded to a 16-page booklet with new liner notes from BILL FLANAGAN. Inside are details of how 1974's Mudcrutch from Gainesville, Florida (Petty's original band) became 1976's Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with a new sound, new songs and a razor's edge. There's also discussion as to why Radio didn't take to the new record like they did the old - angry lyrics, drug references and heavier riffs. The booklet provides lyrics for the first time (didn't come with the original LP) with its Inner Sleeve is reproduced in varying places and there are period photos followed finally by detailed recording/CD reissue details.

But the big news for all fans is new JOE GASTWIRT Remasters carried out at OceanView Mastering in California. This CD sounds awesome - full and punchy - alive without being too over-trebled - I love it. The guitars - the drums - the overall aural wallop is something to behold (as it is with the debut album "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" - also released in a 2002 Gastwirt Remaster – see review).

Compared to the rough and tumble of the debut two years earlier - right from the off you can so hear how the Production values were upped dramatically. Each of the predominantly rocking tunes packs a huge sonic punch and the remaster accentuates that big time. Side 1 opens with the brilliant almost Byrds-jangle of "When The Time Comes" - and man can you hear those chugging guitars and that keyboard underpinning. "You're Gonna Get It" feels like a track from his 1982 LP "Long After Dark" - lyrically hard-hitting but with that great hooky riff. As "Hurt" floats in on a sea of pings, acoustic strums and drum beats - it then goes into a tremendous guitar jangle. But that's nothing to the clarity on "Magnolia" which sounds amazing - a song about a girl he never did give his name too - but her ways stayed within memory. Side One ends on the fantastic rolling slide of "Too Much Ain't Enough" - an out-and-out rocker that jabs at a precocious someone who just can't be pleased.

Side 2 opens with the fantastic rocker "I Need To Know" - an irresistible chuck of riffage complete with an economic Chuck Berry-like solo. Perhaps the most Byrds jangle on the album and probably most people's go-to track - "Listen To Her Heart" is fabulous Petty and The Heartbreakers. The lyrics "...You think you're gonna take her away with your money and cocaine..." probably kept this - the album's most catchy song - off A&M Radio and lost the whole album momentum. The acoustic moment arrives in the tabla and 12-string shuffle of "No Second Thoughts" - a song I've always found strangely positive even though it takes about darkness. The LP ends on two punchy neck-jerking rockers - "Restless" and "Baby's A Rock 'n' Roller" - although I wished he hadn't featured that false audience noise all the way through "Baby's..." Other than that - the whole album is satisfying. And from here it would be through to the breakthrough record "Damn The Torpedoes" in 1979.

I played this 1978 album side-to-side when I lived in bedsits back in the day and loved every satisfying inch of it. Petty's "You're Gonna Get It" is one of 'the' great lost-albums of the 70ts in my books - and presently selling for fewer than six miserly squid - this brill 2002 remaster is the one to own.

"When The Time Comes" - TP sings on the opening song. I'd argue it has...

"Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS (2002 Gone Gator/Warner Brothers CD – Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Raised On Promises..." 

A great debut album is the stuff of musical legend - and it doesn't get a lot better than Tom Petty's self-titled opening salvo. "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" is an astonishing 40 years old in November 2016 and still sounding as fresh as a Florida daisy.

Yet despite huge radio-friendly hits like "Breakdown", "American Girl" and "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll" - the LP took its sweet time. It didn't gain US album chart entry until September of 1977 (almost a year after release) whereupon it crawled up to the lofty heights of No. 55 despite being viewed nowadays as a balls-to-the-wall 70ts Rock Classic. 

Which brings us to this rather excellent - if not a little threadbare - 2002 CD reissue/remaster - finally ridding us of a naff 80ts MCA CD with the all the aural and aesthetic appeal of a gone-off banana.  Here are the details to take us (baby baby) through the night...

USA, UK and Europe released May 2002 - "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" by TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS on Gone Gator/Warner Brothers 8122-78177-2 (Barcode 081227817725) is a straightforward CD transfer of the original LP and plays out as follows (30:54 minutes):

1. Rockin' Around With You

2. Breakdown

3. Hometown Blues

4. The Wild One, Forever

5. Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll

6. Strangered In The Night [Side 2]

7. Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)

8. Mystery Man

9. Luna

10. American Girl

Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut album "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" - released November 1976 in the USA on Shelter SRL-52006 and May 1977 in the UK on Island/Shelter ISA 5014. DENNY CORDELL produced.

TOM PETTY - Vocals, Guitars and Keyboards

MIKE CAMPBELL - Guitars

BENMONT TENCH - Piano and Organ

RON BLAIR - Bass and Cello

STAN LYNCH - Drums (Keyboards on "Luna")

GREGG GELLER has produced the reissue and the gatefold slip of paper that passed as the MCA inlay is now upgraded to a 16-page booklet with new liner notes from BILL FLANAGAN. Inside are details of how 1974's Mudcrutch from Gainesville, Florida (Petty's original band) became 1976's Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with a new sound, new songs and a razor's edge. There are lyrics for the first time (didn't come with the original LP), period photos and detailed recording/CD reissue details. But the big news for all fans is new JOE GASTWIRT Remasters carried out at OceanView Mastering in California. This CD sounds awesome - full and punchy - alive without being too over-trebled - I love it. The guitars - the drums - the overall aural wallop is something to behold (as it is with the 2nd album "You're Gonna Get It" - also released in a 2002 Gastwirt Remaster).

It opens with the jaunty almost Rockabilly "Rockin' Around With You" and you can hear those subtle guitar bits, the floating synth note and those driving drums. Hissy for sure but uber-slick - "Breakdown" is Rock magic - an irresistible hook allied with snarling vocals and that brilliant guitar giving it just enough over the keyboards. Originally issued Stateside in November 1976 as a debut 45 on Shelter SR-62006 - it didn't take until a reissue in October 1977 on Shelter SR-62009 saw it make No. 40 on the Pop charts. Even now it's such a winner and a US Radio perennial. Back to that Petty shuffle with "Hometown Blues" - but my crave has always been the epic Americana feel to "The Wild One, Forever" (a B-side to "Breakdown" in November 1976). "...I knew right away I'd never get over how good it felt when you finally kissed me..." - the lyrics tell us as the beautifully simple guitar plays it out - wonderful stuff – so simple and direct. He ends Side 1 on the Rock Boogie anthem "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll" - a tune he's used to open concerts. It's snotty and full of attitude - don't need her - don't need school - don't need rules - what's not to love...

Side 2 opens one of the most underrated Petty song - the genius groove of "Strangered In The Night". Forty years I'm playing this sucker and still digging its huge dirty guitars - those paranoid lyrics - and that brilliant Campbell soloing. Second stroke of fab comes with everyone's fave from the early years - "Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)" - a massive grinding riff that just seems to float as he squeals "...strange voice on the telephone...telling me I better leave you alone..." That synth note now has more power too. We trot to the finish with a trio of goodies - the almost Eagles "Mystery Man" (hissy at the beginning, but beautifully clear after that) - the slightly sinister yet strangely touching "Luna" - and of course the biggie - "American Girl" - an anthem he plays to this day.

What a brilliant beginning and I think the follow-up "You're Gonna Get It" from May 1978 is equally droolsome - one of 'the' great lost-albums of the 70ts. Presently selling for fewer than four squid - this brill remaster of "Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers" needs to be in your home. Make it last all night indeed...

"Long After Dark" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS (2001 Universal/MCA 'HDCD' Reissue - Joe Gastwirt Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I'm Finding Out..." 

Originally released in November 1982 on Vinyl and Cassette – Tom Petty's fifth studio album "Long After Dark" seemed to slip through the cracks. While it managed a top-ten placing Stateside - no one cared enough to notice in good old Blighty. You just don't see British vinyl originals of it that much - and the initial 1980's CD reissue (a non-remaster) disappeared off the shelves only a few years after it was released.

Which brings us to this fantastic sounding 2001 'HDCD' Remaster – a properly decent audio overhaul - but yet again - overlooked in his canon of consistently good releases. "Long After Dark" is a brilliant rock album with all the trademark Petty hooks and catchy choruses - tune after tune hitting you with their economy and brilliance. Deliver me indeed. Here are the details...

UK and USA released March 2001 – "Long After Dark" by TOM PETTY and THE HEARTBREAKERS on MCA 112 446-2 (Barcode 008811244620) is a straightforward CD transfer/reissue (mastered in HDCD) of the album (36:24 minutes).

1. A One-Story Town

2. You Got Lucky

3. Deliver Me

4. Change Of Heart

5. Finding Out

6. We Stand A Chance [Side 2]

7. Straight Into Darkness

8. The Same Old You

9. Between Two Worlds

10. A Wasted Life

"Long After Dark" was released November 1982 in the USA on MCA/Backstreet Records BSR-5360 and in the UK on MCA Records MCL 1818. It peaked at No. 9 on the US LP charts and No. 45 in the UK.

The booklet is ok – reproducing the lyrics of the original vinyl album’s inner sleeve. The back inlay picture is different to the 80's issue but that’s about it. However – that’s offset by the gobsmacking audio... Remastered by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital from the original analogue master tapes - the sound on this 'High Definition Compatible Digital' reissue (one in a series of Petty Remasters) is just stupendous - clear, full of power and clarity and ready to kick your stereo in its sub-woofer proverbials. Gastwirt has done a truly fantastic remaster job here.

Co-Produced by Petty with JIMMY IOVINE (who'd worked so successfully with the band on "Damn The Torpedoes" in 1979) - "A One Story Town" opens proceedings with a tale of faraway feelings and nowhere city - all wrapped up in a driving set of riffs. The huge synth punch in "You Got Lucky" is so clear that it almost feels intrusive – audio that's too damn good. But then we get one of those fabulous Petty rockers - "Deliver Me" - where he begs his girl to "...take this heart...and deliver me..." Another belter follows - the faster-paced "Finding Out" - a shockingly good headbanger that builds and builds (cracking harmony vocals too). Side One ends on the clever voice-box guitar of "We Stand A Chance". Other winners include the deceptively sweet "A Wasted Life" - a shuffler that gets its hooks into and stays there. Both "Change Of Heart" and "Straight Into Darkness" is the band firing on all sixes - brilliant Petty rockers with huge sound (I love these songs and US radio played the hell out of "Straight Into Darkness"). No time for pretty as it ends with more monster riffage - the moody 'you haven't changed' song "The Same Old You".

I've always thought "Long After Dark" to be an absolute blinder of an album and not nearly as dated as so much Eighties cack is. And it's cheap too (use the Barcode provided above to get the right issue). You go TP...

"Pet Sounds" by THE BEACH BOYS (2001 UK Capitol HDCD Stereo & Mono Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review and over 340 more like it can be found 

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CLASSIC 1960s ROCK ON CD
And Other Genres Thereabouts 

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Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters...

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"...Made For These Times..."

On Page 6 of the chunky 28-page booklet accompanying this 2001 CD Remaster of the mighty "Pet Sounds" both Beatle Paul McCartney and their Producer George Martin gladly admit to what many fans have known for decades – that without this 1966 vinyl meisterwork there would have been no game-changing "Sgt. Peppers" in 1967 and our world would have a drabber place indeed. That's heavy-duty praise from two heavy-hitters to say the least...

And as I listen back to this amazing record for the umpteenth time I'm still struck by its beauty and innovation – presented to us here in truly gorgeous Remastered Audio. Man does this HDCD reissue step up to the sonic plate – you can hear the staggering care taken in these Mono and Stereo Transfers (this thoughtfully presented CD sparkles – it really does). So with that said – it’s once more unto the bottle-fed does and deer’s. Here are the Sloop John B's...

UK released August 2001 – "Pet Sounds: The Complete Album In Stereo And Mono" by THE BEACH BOYS on EMI/Capitol 526 2662 (Barcode 724352626625) is a HDCD reissue that offers the 13-track album in both Mono and Stereo mixes and comes with one bonus track. It plays out as follows (76:50 minutes):

1. Wouldn't It Be Nice

2. You Still Believe In Me

3. That's Not Me

4. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulders)

5. I'm Waiting For The Day

6. Let's Go Away For Awhile

7. Sloop John B

8. God Only Knows [Side 2]

9. I Know There's An Answer

10. Here Today

11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times

12. Pet Sounds

13. Caroline No

Tracks 1 to 13 are the MONO mix of "Pet Sounds" – released May 1966 in the USA and UK on Capitol Records T 2458

14. Hang On To Your Ego – an outtake from the sessions (alternate version of "I Know There's An Answer") originally issued as a bonus track on the June 1990 CD remaster

Tracks 15 to 27 are the album "Pet Sounds" in STEREO – released May 1966 in the USA and UK on Capitol Records ST 2458

At 28-pages the booklet is a fantastic feast of info starting (not surprisingly) with notes from principal songwriter Brian Wilson on his revered baby. It then moves onto a massive essay by DAVID LEAF on the technological challenges of recording such a densely layered album (Leaf penned the booklet for the huge 6CD Box Set "The Pet Sounds Sessions") and even goes into song-by-song breakdowns. There are colour photos from the album artwork photo-shoot (the boys with all manner of animals) and repro’s of some key American 45s – "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B" and "Caroline No". But the big news is the Remaster done by MARK LINETT and JOE GASTWIRT from 2, 4 and 8-track original mastertapes using the HDCD Process to get the best fidelity. I think both mixes offer different things – but both are beautifully clear. It's probably sacrilege to one-channel purists – but I find the Stereo mix to be utterly beguiling. I keep going back to it...

The album opens with the familiar pings of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" – a soundtrack favourite for five decades now. I find the Stereo mix is far better - taking the density of the soundstage out of that 'Wall Of Sound' mode it has in Mono. Al De Lory's Harpsichord on the impossibly pretty "You Still Believe In Me" compliments those lush and beautifully arranged harmony vocals – the boys following Brian's Falsetto Lead. "...I wanted to show how independent I'd grown now...but that's not me..." - Wilson sings on "That's Not Me" – another winner with Carl Wilson on Guitar and Dennis on the Drums (the Tambourine is either Terry Melcher or Alan Jardine – no one really seems sure). The drums pack a real punch now in "I'm Waiting For The Day" - but I've a soft spot for the Burt Bacharach-sounding instrumental "Let's Go Away For Awhile". It's beautifully clear in the Stereo version – all those Saxophones matching the Acoustic Guitars of Al Casey and Barney Kessel. Hitsville USA ends Side 1 with the 'drunk first-mate' song "Sloop John B" – an impossibly catchy Beach Boys tune with stunning intricate vocal arrangements.

Where would Richard Curtis be without the wonderfully touching "God Only Knows" (he used it to great effect in the airport sequence of "Love Actually") – or indeed hundreds of Summer CD compilations for that matter? The carnival comes to town with "I Know There's An Answer" where Brian gets deep with his lyrics "...they come on like they're peaceful but inside they're so uptight..." With almost childlike charm Wilson then explores brand new love affairs on "Here Today" (the Carol Kaye Bass is very clear) - followed hotfoot by what many feel is his inadvertent signature song about searching for a peaceful place in this world. "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" is also probably the most Phil Spector of tunes on the album. The second instrumental on the record and the album's title track ("Pet Sounds") precedes the records truly lovely finisher - "Caroline No". And again in each case – you’re struck by the stunning Remaster – swirling melodies and layers of instruments unfolding...

"...I know you're going to lose the fight..." - Brian Wilson sang on the Bonus Track "Hang On To Your Ego" - an Alternative Lyric Version of "I Know There's An Answer". And subsequently (as we all know) Brian almost lost his mind for this slice of genius - not a price many of us would be willing to pay. 

But at least we have this affectionate and respectful reissue to celebrate that musical high. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - well this HDCD reissue is a whole lot more than that...

"Play The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS - September 1972 Album On Atlantic Records with Guests Eric Clapton, Dr. John and The J. Geils Band (May 1992 US Rhino CD Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Come On Mama...Let Me Turn You On…"

1972's "Plays The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS is the kind of Blues-Rock album that should be more famous - yet even with heavy-hitters like ERIC CLAPTON, Dr. JOHN and The J. GEILS BAND guesting - it has somehow slipped into an unfair obscurity. Time to rectify that…

1. A Man Of Many Words [Side 1]

2. My Baby She Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Ride)

3. (a) Come On In The House (b) Have Mercy Baby

4. T-Bone Shuffle

5. A Poor Man's Plea

6. Messin' With The Kid [Side 2]

7. This Old Fool

8. I Don't Know

9. Bad Bad Whiskey

10. Honeydripper

"Play The Blues" by BUDDY GUY and JUNIOR WELLS was US CD-reissued in May 1992 on Rhino R2 70299 (Barcode 081227029920) - a straightforward transfer of the 10-track vinyl album first released September 1972 on both sides of the pond - Atlantic SD 33-364 (USA) and Atlantic K 40240 (UK) respectively.

Excepting "This Old Fool" and "Honeydripper" which were put down in April 1972 in Boston - the other 8 tracks were recorded in October 1970 in the Criteria Studios in Florida (left in the can for two whole years). Co-produced by ERIC CLAPTON, AHMET ERTEGUN, TOM DOWD and MICHAEL CUSCUNA - the sessions also featured J. Geils on Guitar, Magic Dick on Harmonica and Seth Justman on Keyboards - all fellow Atlantic label mates in THE J. GEILS BAND.

DR. JOHN contributes Piano with ERIC CLAPTON playing Rhythm and Bottleneck Guitar on 7 of the 10 tracks - "A Man Of Many Words" (a Buddy Guy original), "My Baby She Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Rise)" (a Sonny Boy Williamson cover), "Come On In This House/Have Mercy Baby" (both Junior Wells originals), "T-Bone Shuffle" (a T-Bone Walker cover), "A Poor Man's Plea" (a Junior Wells original), "Messin' With The Kid" (a Mel London cover), "I Don't Know" (a Willie Mabon cover) and "Bad Bad Whiskey" (a Thomas Davis cover).

It opens strongly with "A Man Of Many Words" (lyrics from it title this review) and continues just so. Rory Gallagher (an axeman remembered with huge affection) opened his blistering "Live! In Europe" LP on Polydor from 1972 with "Messin' With The Kid" and much of "Plays The Blues" has that same raucous having-us-a-good-time feel to each track (despite its two year tortured recording history). The great combo of two diverse guitar players and the alternating of lead vocals on each track give the whole thing a freshness that screams off the tracks even now. Add in complimentary session players and you’re on a winner.

"Plays The Blues" is a hugely enjoyable album - I wore out my UK pressing to the point of too-many-scratches - and it’s a blast to hear it sound so chipper on this lively JOE GASTWIRT remaster.

Spend a skydiver on this one - worth every red penny and blue cent...